Apparatus and process for washing tissue and/or cell

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for washing cells and/or tissue includes an outer sleeve, an inner assembly, and a filter. The outer sleeve includes a closed end and an open end. The inner assembly is axially movable in the outer sleeve. The filter is affixed to the inner assembly, wherein a chamber is formed by the filter, the outer sleeve, and the inner assembly. Furthermore, a process for washing cells and/or tissue comprising: (a) providing an apparatus as described above, wherein the cells and/or tissue and washing liquid are disposed in the chamber, and (b) axially moving the inner assembly to wash the cells and/or tissue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an apparatus and process for washing tissueand/or cells, and more particularly to an apparatus and process forwashing, filtering, and collecting tissue and/or cells.

2. Description of the Related Art

Due to the progress of medical technology, techniques for repairingliving tissue are receiving more attention and research. Currently,cells used for repairing living tissue are mainly derived from celllines and living tissue in primary culture. For living tissue derivedfrom primary culture, living tissue derived from a patient's body isminced in aseptic surroundings. Then, protease is provided to catalyzethe breakdown of intercellular substances in the tissue so that cellsmigrate from the tissue. Then, the cells are treated and implanted backto the patient's body for repairing wounded tissue.

Generally, the process of repairing living tissue is executed inoperating rooms. During the process, the living tissue derived from apatient's body is immediately minced into fragments on the scene. Then,an enzyme is provided to catalyze the breakdown of tissue fragments.However, subsequent processes including removal of the enzyme from thetissue and/or cells, collection of the tissue and/or cells, transfer ofthe tissue and/or cells to a carrier, and implantation of the tissueand/or cells into the wounded part of the patient require use of anapparatus. Preferably, this apparatus can be also applicable to otherfields for washing, filtering, and collecting tissue and/or cells.

Recently, several types of apparatuses for filtering and collectingtissue and/or cells have been developed and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,521,190, U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,687, U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,051, U.S. Pat.No. 5,976,824, etc., which include centrifugal-force type, mesh-filtertype, and hybrid type of centrifugal-force/mesh-filter. As described, inthe enzymatic treatments, removal of enzyme, and collection of tissueand/or cells are executed in operating rooms. However, operating roomsare not suitable for operation of centrifugal-force type apparatuses.Furthermore, none of the apparatuses can be used to wash the tissueand/or cells for removing enzyme therefrom. Therefore, an apparatus forwashing, filtering, and collecting tissue and/or cells is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an apparatus to solve the above describedproblems.

An apparatus for washing tissue and/or cells in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention comprises an outer sleeve, aninner assembly, and a filter. The outer sleeve includes a closed end andan open end. The inner assembly is axially movable in the outer sleeve.The filter is affixed to the inner assembly, wherein a chamber is formedby the filter, the outer sleeve, and the inner assembly, and an openingof the filter is smaller than the tissue and/or cells in diameter.

The apparatus can be modified in various ways. In another exemplaryembodiment of the invention, for example, the opening of the filter is 1μm-30 μm in diameter when the filter is a membrane filter. However, a 5μm-20 μm membrane filter is preferred.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, as another example,the opening of the filter is 100 μm-3000 μm in diameter when the filteris a mesh filter.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the outer sleevefurther includes a cap connected to the closed end.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the inner assembly isa tube assembly or a ring assembly.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the inner assembly isa mesh assembly with the filter fixed therein.

The invention further provides a process for washing tissue and/orcells, comprising: (a) providing an apparatus as described above,wherein the tissue and/or cells and washing liquid are disposed in thechamber, and (b) axially moving the inner assembly to wash the tissueand/or cells.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the inner assembly isa tube assembly or a ring assembly.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, step (a) includesputting the tissue and/or cells and the washing liquid in the outersleeve, and fitting the inner assembly into the outer sleeve to form thechamber. Then, step (b) comprises moving the inner assembly in a firstaxial direction

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the process furthercomprises replacing the washing liquid in the inner assembly after step(b), when the inner assembly is a tube assembly.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, step (b) furthercomprises moving the inner assembly in a second axial direction toexpand the chamber.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the process furthercomprises a step of shaking the apparatus to wash the tissue and/orcells after step (b).

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the process furthercomprises a step of removing the washing liquid from the inner assemblyafter step (b), when the inner assembly is a tube assembly.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the process furthercomprises a step of collecting the tissue and/or cells after step (b).

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tissue and/orcells are derived from cartilage tissue, bone tissue, or an organ.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cells are derivedfrom cell granules or tissue after enzymatic treatments.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tissue is derivedfrom tissue fragments after enzymatic treatments.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the process furthercomprises filtering and collecting the tissue and/or cells.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the opening of thefilter is 100 μm-3000 μm in diameter when the filter is a mesh filter.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the opening of thefilter is 5 μm-20 μm in diameter when the filter is a membrane filter.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the outer sleevefurther includes a cap connected to the closed end for collecting thewashed tissue and/or cells.

The invention can be used to repair articular cartilage and bones. Also,the invention is applicable to other fields for washing, filtering, andcollecting cells/tissue.

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequentdetailed description and examples with references made to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective exploded diagram of an outer sleeve inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the outer sleeve of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective diagram of an inner assembly in accordance withan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the inner assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an apparatus for washing tissue and/orcells in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the process of washing tissue and/or cells inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus for washingtissue and/or cells in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;and

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict the operation of the apparatus for washing tissueand/or cells in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carryingout the invention. This description is made for the purpose ofillustrating the general principles of the invention and should not betaken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determinedby reference to the appended claims.

An outer sleeve is closed at an end and opens at the other end.Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in this embodiment, the outer sleeve 10includes a sleeve body 11 and a cap 12. The sleeve body 11 has a firstopening 13 and a second opening 14. The cap 12 is detachably connectedto the sleeve body 11 for covering the second opening 14 and used forcollecting cells and tissue.

An inner assembly may be a tube assembly or a ring assembly. Referringto FIGS. 2A and 2B, in this embodiment, the inner assembly 20 is a tubeassembly including a tubular body 21, a filter structure 23, a rubberO-ring 24, and a handle 25. An opening 22 and the handle 25 are providedat an end of the tubular body 21, and the filter structure 23 and theO-ring 24 are provided at the other end. The filter structure 23includes two wire meshes and a membrane filter (or mesh filter) 30sandwiched therebetween. This arrangement avoids breakage or deformationof the membrane filter (or mesh filter) 30 during the washing process.The O-ring 24 is externally affixed to the tubular body 21 foreliminating the gap between the inner assembly 20 and the outer sleeve10.

In an example, the cells/tissue to be washed is derived from patient'scartilage, and the membrane filter 30 is a 10 μm TMTP membrane filter(Millipore® Isopore™ membrane filter). In another example, the cartilagetissue rather than free cells are collected by filtering, and themembrane filter 30 is replaced with a 100 μm metal mesh filter. Inanother example for a collection of umbilical cord tissue, a 150 μm-3000μm mesh filter can be selected. However, a 400 μm-600 μm mesh filter ispreferred.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus for washing tissue and/orcells, wherein the inner assembly 20 is disposed in the outer sleeve 10,and the membrane filter (or mesh filter) 30 is affixed to the innerassembly 20. Thus, a chamber is formed by the membrane filter (or meshfilter) 30, the outer sleeve 10, and the inner assembly 20. The innerassembly 20 is axially movable in the outer sleeve 10.

The process of washing tissue and/or cells is shown in FIG. 4. In step60, a washing apparatus is provided wherein tissue and/or cells 40 andwashing liquid 50 are disposed in the chamber of the washing apparatus.In step 61, the tissue and/or cells 40 and washing liquid 50 aredisposed in the outer sleeve 10. In step 62, the inner assembly 20 isfitted into the outer sleeve 10 to form the chamber of the washingapparatus. In step 70, the inner assembly 20 is axially moved to washand filter the tissue and/or cells 40. In step 80, the washed tissueand/or cells 40 are collected.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus for washingtissue and/or cells in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,wherein:

To repeat the washing process and use new washing liquid in each washingprocess, the tissue and/or cells 40 and the washing liquid 50 aredisposed in the outer sleeve 10 and the inner assembly 20 is fitted intothe outer sleeve 10, thus forming a chamber as shown in FIG. 6. In step71 of FIG. 5, the inner assembly 20 is moved in a first axial directionD1 to compress the chamber. Thus, the washing liquid 50 filters throughthe membrane filter (or mesh filter) 30 and into the inner assembly 20.In step 72 of FIG. 5, the used washing liquid 50 is removed through theopening 22 of the inner assembly 20, and then fresh washing liquid 50 isadded in the inner assembly 20. In step 73 of FIG. 5, the inner assembly20 is moved in a second axial direction D2 to expand the chamber asshown in FIG. 7. Then, step 71 is repeated. In this processes, thewashing liquid can be new for each washing process.

To fully mix and wash the tissue and/or cells with the washing liquid,the inner assembly 20 is not immediately removed from the outer sleeve10 after step 73. Rather, the washing apparatus is shaken (step 74 ofFIG. 5) to wash the tissue and/or cells 40. Then, the inner assembly 20is moved in the first axial direction D1 to compress the chamber (step71) so that the washing liquid 50 filters into the inner assembly 20.Then, step 73 is repeated.

To collect the washed tissue and/or cells, the used washing liquid 50 ispoured out through the opening 22 of the inner assembly 20 (step 75 ofFIG. 5). Then, the inner assembly 20 and the outer sleeve 10 areseparated. Then, the cap 12 is removed from the outer sleeve 11. Thus,the tissue and/or cells 40 in the cap 12 can be collected.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms ofpreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to thoseskilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims shouldbe accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and similar arrangements.

1. An apparatus for washing tissue and/or cells, comprising: an outersleeve including a closed end and an open end; an inner assembly axiallymovable in the outer sleeve; and a filter affixed to the inner assembly,wherein a chamber is formed by the filter, the outer sleeve, and theinner assembly, and an opening of the filter is smaller than the tissueand/or cells in diameter.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein the filter is a mesh filter or a membrane filter.
 3. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the opening of the filter is 5μm-20 μm in diameter when the filter is a membrane filter.
 4. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the opening of the filter is100 μm-3000 μm in diameter when the filter is a mesh filter.
 5. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve furtherincludes a cap connected to the closed end.
 6. The apparatus as claimedin claim 1, wherein the inner assembly is a tube assembly or a ringassembly.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the innerassembly is a mesh assembly with the filter fixed therein.
 8. A processfor washing tissue and/or cells, comprising: (a) providing an apparatusas claimed in claim 1, wherein the tissue and/or cells and washingliquid are disposed in the chamber; and (b) axially moving the innerassembly to wash the tissue and/or cells.
 9. The process as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the inner assembly is a tube assembly or a ringassembly.
 10. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein step (a)includes putting the tissue and/or cells and the washing liquid in theouter sleeve, and fitting the inner assembly into the outer sleeve toform the chamber.
 11. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein step(b) comprises moving the inner assembly in a first axial direction. 12.The process as claimed in claim 11, further comprising replacing thewashing liquid in the inner assembly after step (b), when the innerassembly is a tube assembly.
 13. The process as claimed in claim 11,wherein step (b) further comprises moving the inner assembly in a secondaxial direction to expand the chamber.
 14. The process as claimed inclaim 13, further comprising a step of shaking the apparatus to wash thetissue and/or cells after step (b).
 15. The process as claimed in claim11, further comprising a step of removing the washing liquid from theinner assembly after step (b), when the inner assembly is a tubeassembly.
 16. The process as claimed in claim 8, further comprising astep of collecting the tissue and/or cells after step (b).
 17. Theprocess as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tissue and/or cells arederived from cartilage tissue, bone tissue, or an organ.
 18. The processas claimed in claim 8, wherein the cells are derived from cell granulesor tissue after enzymatic treatments.
 19. The process as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the tissue is derived from tissue fragments afterenzymatic treatments.
 20. The process as claimed in claim 8, furthercomprising filtering and collecting the tissue and/or cells.
 21. Theprocess as claimed in claim 8, wherein the opening of the filter is 100μm-3000 μm in diameter when the filter is a mesh filter.
 22. The processas claimed in claim 8, wherein the opening of the filter is 5 μm-20 μmin diameter when the filter is a membrane filter.
 23. The process asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the outer sleeve further includes a capconnected to the closed end for collecting the washed tissue and/orcells.